16" ceiling lighting

[akpolaris]

I have a 30' X 20' shop with 16" ceilings. Can I get adequate lighting from thin LED recessed light fixtures. If so would I need 8" units and how would I space them? I have had LED tube lights in there, 2 rows of 4 fixture on 2 separate switches. I just got the ceiling sheetrocked and figured that the recessed lighting would look much cleaner. thank you

 

[cybrdyke]

It's possible, but not with the cheap big box or amazon wafer lights. You'll need the commercial version which delivers 2500-3500 or more lumens. And you'll still need a bunch of them, probably more than you'd think. But it's possible.
CD

 

[Shiftless]

How many lumens each did you use to have with your 4 foot tubes? How many lumens each are the recessed fixtures you are thinking of installing? If you do the math, you’ll see that you will need quite a few more recessed fixtures to get the level of lighting you used to have.
If you are paying somebody to install them it will of course cost more $$$ but if that’s the look you are aiming for then go for it.
With a big dollar expenditure, you might be better served with a professional lighting layout based on needs and specific uses for the various areas of your garage.

I assume your attic is easily accessible for all of the work that needs to be done for the recessed lighting. I’m curious about why you didn’t wire it for recessed lights before the ceiling drywall?

With 16 foot ceilings, you might be better served with high bay fixtures. Fewer fixtures, more lumens.

 

[akpolaris]

I've been in the shop for 10 years and bought some very affordable Feit 4' led hanging tube fixtures in the beginning. I have had exposed insulation/vapor barrier until very recently. The tubular stuff has served me very well. But the wires start plugged into an exposed outlet and the fixtures are daisy chained. And the tops collect the dust, dirt and cobwebs that anything left undisturbed at 16' in the air collects. I was thinking of trying for a cleaner appearance with the thin, recessed fixtures. The attic is easily accessible and while I am doing the sheetrock I have a scissor lift on hand. I wasn't sure where to start looking so was casting about for ideas. It may be that the recessed lights are not practical

 

[Dig Doug]

You have a few options to choose from depending on what you want….

can lights you can get a commercial can that puts out decent light but due to the size you need a lot of them

2x2 high bay square fixture they come in 10,000 lumens Lots of light - I would frame out the opening and recess the light fixture up into the ceiling this will be a lot of work - would have been easier with out the drywall in place

thin surface mount, 1x4, 2x2, 2x4 etc


if you have benches around the perimeter walls you can do task light above the bench

Can light


High bay light I would recess up into the ceiling & trim with a L metal or corner bead for a sharp square edge - a lot if work, labor


surface mount flat panel These don’t have a high lumem


Skinny strip lights surface mount fairly high lumen, easily connectable

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[jskicet]

30 x36 with 14 foot walls. I used 4 of these and flush mounted them. They are high bay lights. Lights up the world. No regrets at all.

Commercial Electric 1-Pack 2 ft. 18000 Lumens 171-Watts Integrated LED High Bay Light 120-277V 5000K Daylight Dimmable Garage Light 50232191 - The Home Depot

The matrix decor Single Pole Smart WiFi Dimmer Switch Light Switch Compatible with Alexa Google Assistant Remote Control White in an ivory finish that is sure to match almost any decor.

www.homedepot.com

 

[akpolaris]

30 x36 with 14 foot walls. I used 4 of these and flush mounted them. They are high bay lights. Lights up the world. No regrets at all.

Commercial Electric 1-Pack 2 ft. 18000 Lumens 171-Watts Integrated LED High Bay Light 120-277V 5000K Daylight Dimmable Garage Light 50232191 - The Home Depot

The matrix decor Single Pole Smart WiFi Dimmer Switch Light Switch Compatible with Alexa Google Assistant Remote Control White in an ivory finish that is sure to match almost any decor.

www.homedepot.com

Made in china?

 

[mike93lx]

Made in china?

Are any lights not?

 

[akpolaris]

Are any lights not?

you are probably right

 

[SBAG]

Waveform has a lumens calculator. I am using their shop lights screwed under my trusses (4’ centers) with 16 ft sidewalls. Not saying you need to use their lights - which are fairly expensive. I am because I want very accurate color. But you can use their calculator.

 

[billconner]

Fewer larger lights create more glare. Smaller more spread out lights create less glare. With less glare, you need less illuminance, probably 10 to 30 or more percent depending on variables.

Just Google glare and visibility.

 

[OGJordan]

assuming you mean 16'? or is this some new phrase I don't know?